Gas lighter



NOV- 26, 1968 R. s. PIFFATH ETAL 3,413,070

GAS LIGHTER Filed June 28, 1966 FIG. ne. 2.

/Nl/ENTRS RODA/EY 5, P/FFA TH, JAMES R. VWL/(ER, JR.

5r THE/x? Arm/@Nens #42E/5, K/Ec/f, RUSSELL @c KERN United States PatentO 3,413,070 GAS LIGHTER Rodney S. Pitfath, Burbank, and James R. Walker,Jr., North Hollywood, Calif., assignors to James A. A. Smith, trustee inbankruptcy of the estate of Star-Fire, Inc., bankrupt, assignors to GeneGoble, Escondido, Calif.

Filed June 28, 1966, Ser. No. 561,188 6 Claims. (Cl. 431-89) ABSTRACT FTHE DISCLOSURE A lighter adapted to burn a gaseous fuel of the liquefiedpetroleum type. The lighter includes a container for the liquefiedgaseous fuel and includes a valve operating member threadedly connectedto the container to regulate the ow of gaseous fuel therefrom. Theoperating member carries a burner and a device for igniting thegaseousfuel emanating from the burner. A common retainer secures theigniting device to the operating member, and also secures a wind guardthereto. A check valve in the gaseous fuel passage through the operatingmember responds to an excessive rate of flow to reduce such rate.

Summary and objects of invention The present invention relates tolighters, and more particularly to lighters adapted to burn a liquidpetroleum gas as a fuel, such as butane.

An object of the invention is to provide a lighter capable of containinga liquid gas producing fuel under pressure, such as butane, andembodying a single valve mechanism for shutting oirr the fuel supply tothe burner of the lighter, for adjusting the size of the burner ame, andfor refilling the lighter with liquid fuel under pressure from asuitable source.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lighter of the typeabove indicated, which is easy to ignite, safe to operate, and whichautomatically reduces the size of the gas flame in the event of itsbecoming excessive.

A further object of the invention is to provide a gas lighter adapted tocontain a liquid petroleum gas under pressure, such as butane, which isreliable in its operation, possesses a minimum number of parts,resulting in its simplicity and economical production, and of strong andsturdy construction.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectswhich may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a formin which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawingsaccompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will nowbe described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the generalprinciples of the invention; but it is to be understood that suchdetailed description is not to be tal-:en in a limiting sense, since thescope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Description 0f drawing Referring to the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, with parts shown in section, of alighter embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section, on an enlarged scale,

3,413,070 Patented Nov. 26, 1968 ICC through the upper portion of thelighter disclosed in FIG. l, with its valve mechanism closed;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating the lighter in its openand operating condition;

FIG. 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 0f FIG. 2.

Description of exemplary embodiment of invention The device illustratedin the drawing is a lighter adapted to burn a gas derived from a liquidpetroleum fuel under pressure, such as butane or propane. Such liquidfuel under pressure, which will be partially in a gaseous state, isdisposed within a suitable pressure vessel or container 10, which ispreferably of cylindrical shape, closed at its lower end by an endclosure or plug 11 and at its upper end by an upper plug or valve body12, the lower and upper plugs being suitably secured to the cylindricalportion of the container in leakproof relation by a suitable adhesive,such as an epoxy resin, ywhich may be disposed in circumferentialgrooves 13 in the plug periphery for adherence to the wall of thecylindrical container. The lower portion 14 of the upper plug or valvebody has a lesser external diameter than its upper portion to provide anannular space 15 with the cylindrical container. Located below the lowerend of the valve body is a retainer member or disc 16 having a lesserdiameter than the inside diameter of the container, this disc restingupon the upper end of a foamed plastic 17, such as an open cellpolyurethane foam, which substantially completely ills the storage areaor chamber of the container 10 between its bottom pug 11 and theretainer 16. The mass of polyurethane foam serves to limit the rate ofescape of the gas in the container resulting' from vaporization of theliquid fuel when the valve mechanism 18, of which the valve body 12forms a part, is in an open condition.

The lower end of the valve body has a central inlet port 19 surroundedby an upwardly facing tapered valve seat 2t), the port opening into acentral passage 21 in the lower portion 14 of the body, which, in turn,opens into an enlarged counterbore 22 in the upper portion 23 of thevalve body. A valve stem 24 has an externally threaded portion 25meshing with companion internal threads 26 in the valve body, this stemcarrying a valve head 27 in its lower portion fitting within a lowerstem socket 28, an axial rod portion 29 of the head being disposedwithin a companion bore 30 in the stem. The valve head has a taperedflow restricting portion 31 depending from the main part of the head,which is adapted to be disposed in various relative positions withrespect to the tapered seat 20, so as to control the flow of gas passingthrough the inlet 19 and into the valve body. The valve head 27 may bemade of a suitable elastic material, such as nylon. Its main portionsurrounding its tapered dow restricting part 31 may engage the upper endof the seat 20 to fully close the inlet. When the valve stem 24 isthreaded upwardly within the valve body 12, the tapered portion 31 ofthe head 27 can be spaced at various distances from the tapered valveseat 20 to regulate the rate of flow of gas through the inlet 19 andinto the valve body.

The valve stem 24 has an upper portion 35 mounted within and secured toa burner supporting and valve operating body member 36 having a lowerreduced diameter portion 37 piloted within the counterbore 22 of theupper plug or valve body 12. The upper portion 35 of the valve stem maybe knurled or roughened on its exterior so that, when forced into acompanion ybore 38 in the member 36, the member 36 and stem 24 will befirmly secured to one another. Leakage of fluid between the two bodymembers 36, 12 is prevented by a suitable seal 39, such as a rubber orrubber-like O-ring, mounted in a peripheral groove 40a in the reduceddiameter portion 37 of the member 36 and slidably and sealingly engagingthe wall of the counterbore 22. The stem 24 and supporting member 36 areassembled within the valve body by inserting them into the latter andthreadedly securing the stern within the valve body 12, the parts beingheld in assembled relation by a split expansible snap retainer ring 40mounted in a peripheral groove 41 in the pilot portion 37 of the member36 and adapted to snap outwardly partially into an internalcircumferential groove 42 in the valve body. The upper end 43 of thevalve body is tapered or llared to facilitate insertion of the main bodymember 36, its seal ring 39, and retaining ring 40 into the valve body12, the internal groove 42 having a length substantially longer thanthat of the cross sectional diameter of the snap retainer ring 40 topermit limited longitudinal movement of the supporting member 36 andvalve stem 24 relative to the valve body 12 in controlling the valvemechanism 18. The upward limit of travel of the parts within the Valvebody is determined lby engagement of the ring 40 with an upper grooveshoulder 43a normal to the axis of the parts, yand which will,therefore, prevent their disassembly.

The gas owing through the inlet 19 and into the lower space 21 of thevalve body 12 can pass through a side port 45 in the valve stem 24 intoits central passage 46 thereabove, the upper end of this passagecommunicating with the upper portion of the bore 38 of the mainsupporting member 36 which communicates with its offset passage 47 inwhich the lower end of a burner member 48 is received and suitablysecured to the supporting member 36. This burner member has a lowerpassage 49 of large diameter that terminates at a tapered seat 50, fromwhich a reduced diameter passage or outlet 51 extends to the upper endor tip 52 of the burner member. The exterior of the tip 52 tapers in anupward direction to coact with a liquid butane filling can (not shown),or other source of fuel, when the lighter is to be recharged with fuel.The gas discharging from the outlet 51 can be ignited and will burn atthe tip.

For the purpose of preventing the continued existence of too large a gasflame projecting from the tip 52, a safety check valve 53 isincorporated in the apparatus. As disclosed, a piston type of valve isdisposed within the passage 47, this valve being hollow to decrease itsweight and having a lower cylindrical portion 54 and an upper taperedportion 55 from which a pin or stem 56 projects. The included apex angleof the tapered portion 55 is slightly less than the included angle ofthe frustoconical seat 50 in the burner member 48 such that the upwardmovement of the piston check valve 53 to engage its tapered portion 55with the tapered seat 50 still permits a restricted quantity of gas toow between the tapered parts and around the stem 56 piloted within thereduced diameter outlet 51 for burning at the tip 52. This valve 53 ismoved automatically upwardly in the event the velocity of gas flowexceeds a predetermined value. Upon reduction of the velocity of gasflow, the piston checkV valve 53 drops back to its lower positionillustrated in FIG. 2 to permit gas to flow therearound and through theoutlet 51 of the burner, the rate of gas flow being determined by theadjustment of the valve stem 24 and its head 27 relative to the valveseat 20.

The open or closed condition of the lighter is determined by rotatingthe supporting member 36, as by grasping its knurled head 60, which willturn the stem 24 and feed the latter and its valve head 27 axially ofthe valve body 12. With the valve 18 in an open condition, the gasflowing therethrough and from the burner outlet 51 can be ignited by aspark derived from a int 61 slidably mounted within a int post 62disposed within a socket 63 in the upper end of the main supportingmember 36, this post being retained in the socket by a retainer ring 64,such as a C-ring, mounted within a peripheral groove 65 in the mainsupporting member above its knurled head 60 and disposed within atransverse groove 66 cut in one side of the lower portion of the intpost 62. A helical compression spring 67 is disposed in a centralpassage 68 through the iiint post, its lower end bearing against thebase of the supporting member bore 63 and its upper end against theflint 61, urging the latter in an outward direction. The spark isgenerated by rotating a striker wheel 69 disposed in a slot 7) extendingacross the upper end of the llint post and mounted upon a shaft 71secured t0 the post. Turning of the striker wheel 69 will force itsteeth or knurls 72 on the periphery of the striker wheel against theflint 61, the spark being projected toward the gas emanating from theburner tip 52 to effect ignition of the latter.

A wind guard 73 surrounds the burner portion 48 of the ga-s lighter andthe int post 62. This guard has its lower portion disposed over theupper portion 74 of the supporting member 36, being frictonally held inplace by engaging the C-ring retainer element 64. The guard has an upperslot 75 through which the striker wheel 69 extends, and also one or aplurality of slots 76 adjacent to the burner tip 52 through whichsecondary air can pass for assisting in the complete `combustion of thegas emanating from the tip.

When the lighter is not in use, its supporting memlber 36 is disposed ina position to lirmly engage the nylon head 27 with the valve seat 20 soas to prevent the escape of gas from the container 10. When the lighteris to be used, the knurled head 6i) is grasped and rotated, as in acounterclockwise direction, assuming a right-hand threaded connection25, 26 between the valve stern 24 and valve body 12, which will shiftthe valve stem outwardly of the valve body and remove the nylon head 27from its companion seat 20. The gas, which is usually at the upper endof the container 10', with the fuel still remaining in its liquid statetherebelow, will flow around the retainer or spacer member 16 and inthrough a transverse groove in the latter into the inlet 19, passingbetween the valve seat 20 and head 27 into the valve lbody space 21, andthrough the side port 45 and central passage 46 into the member passages38, 47, flowing around the safety check valve 53 and through the outlet51. The striker wheel 69 can be rotated in the proper direction toproduce a spark that will ignite the gas. Upon its ignition, the knurledhead 60 can ybe appropriately turned to adjust the valve 18 and secure ailame of the desired length at the burner tip S2 by appropriatelyspacing the tapered valve portion 31 of the valve ihead with respect toits companion tapered seat 20. In the event the valve 18 has been openedtoo far initially, the spark will ignite the gas, producing a flame oftoo great a size. Under such conditions, the velocity of flow of the gasthrough the passages 46, 38, 47 will carry the piston check valve 531upwardly into engagement with the tapered portion S0V of the burner,immediately restricting the flow of gas and automatically reducing thesize of the gas ame. The turning of the knurled head 60 in theappropriate direction to reduce the elfective area through the valveseat 20` will allow the check valve 53 to drop back to its initialposition.

In the event the fuel supply becomes exhausted, the container 10 can :berecharged with liquid petroleum fuel under pressure, such as liquifiedbutane, merely by turning the knurled head 60 to remove the valve head27 from its seat 20 and by placing the refilling spout (not shown) of abutane source (not shown), which is of a known type, against the taperedtip 52 and in sealed relation therewith, after which the valve mechanismof the f-uel source is opened, the liquid fuel passing downwardlythrough the outlet 51 and the passages 47, 38, 46, 45 into the valvebody, continuing through the valve seat and inlet 19 into the container10, until the latter has received a suitable quantity of fuel, whereuponthe knurled head 60 is turned to close the valve 18 and the source (notshown) disengaged from the tip 52,

It is apparent that a comparatively simple liquefied petroleum gaslighter has been provided, which is of strong and sturdy construction,and which can operate to provide a gas flame of the desired size. In theevent the ame ybecomes inordinately great, it is automatically reducedin size because of the throttling action provided by the safety checkvalve 53. A single valve 18 is available for shutting off the fuelsupply, and for adjusting the rate of iiow of gas from the container 10,as well as for effecting recharging or refilling of the container withadditional fuel.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that variouschanges, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in suchembodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as definedby the claims which follow.

We claim:

1. In a gas fueled lighter:

(a) a container adapted to retain under pressure gaseous fuel of theliquefied petroleum type;

(b) a valve body secured to said container and having an inletcommunicable with the fuel in said container;

(c) a valve stem threadedly mounted in said body and rotatable withrespect thereto to regulate the ow of gaseous fuel through said inlet,said stem having a passage for receiving gaseous fuel passing throughsaid inlet;

(d) an operating member secured to said stem for rotating said stem insaid valve body to regulate the flow of gaseous fuel through said inletand having a passage communicating with said stem passage;

(e) said operating member having burner means thereon providing anoutlet for gaseous fuel from said member passage;

(f) means on said operating member adjacent to said burner means forigniting the gaseous fuel discharging from said outlet; and

(g) means responsive to an excessive rate of flow of Igaseous fuelthrough said member passage for reducing said rate of iiow.

2. In a gas fueled lighter:

(a) a container adapted to retain under pressure fuel f' of the liquidpetroleum type;

(b) a valve body lsecured to said container and having an inletcommunicable with the fuel in said container;

(c) a valve stem adjustably mounted in said -body to regulate the flowof gaseous fuel through said inlet, said stem having a passage forreceiving gaseous fuel passing through said inlet;

(d) an operating member secured to said stem for adjusting said stem insaid valve body and having a passage communicating with said stempassage;

(e) said operating member having burner means mounted thereon providingan outlet for gaseous fuel from said member passage;

(f) a post in said operating member and extending upwardly therefrom;

(g) retaining means securing said post to 4said oper ating member;

(h) said post being adapted to hold a flint adjacent to said 'burneroutlet;

(i) a striker wheel rotatably mounted on said post and engageab'le withthe flint to produce a spark directed toward the gaseous fueldischarging from said outlet; and

(j) a wind guard surrounding said operating member,

burner means and post, said guard engaging said retaining means to Ibeattached thereby to said operating member.

3. In a gas fueled lighter:

(a) a container adapted to retain under pressure fuel of the liquidpetroleum type;

(b) a valve body secured to said container and having an inletcommunicable with the fuel in said container;

(c) a valve stem adjustably mounted in said body to regulate the ow ofgaseous fuel through said inlet, said stem having a passage forreceiving gaseous fuel passing through said inlet;

(d) an operating member secured to said stem for adjusting said stem insaid valve body and having a passage communicating with 'said stempassage;

(e) said operating member having burner means mounted thereon providingan outlet for gaseous fuel from said member passage;

(f) a post in said operating member and extending upwardly therefrom,said post having a transverse groove;

(g) said operating member having a peripheral groove;

(h) a retainer ring in said peripheral groove extending into saidtransverse groove to secure said post to said operating member; and

(i) a Ivvind guard surrounding said operating member, burner means, postand retainer ring and engaging said ring to be attached thereby to saidoperating member.

4. In a ga's fueled lighter:

(a) a container adapted to retain under pressure fuel of the liquidpetroleum type;

(b) a valve body secured to said container and having an inletcommunicable with the fuel in said container, said body having a valveseat surrounding said inlet;

(c) -a valve stem threadedly mounted in said body and having an elastichead engageable with said seat to close said inlet, said head having atapered portion adapted for axial movement with respect to said seat inresponse to rotation of said stem in said valve body for regulating theiiow of gaseous fuel through said inlet;

(d) said body having a `chamber into which gaseous fuel owing throughsaid inlet can discharge;

(e) said stem having a passage communicating with said chamber forreceiving 4gaseous fuel therefrom;

(f) an operating member secured to said stem for rotating said stem insaid valve body and having a passage communicating with said stempassage;

(g) a burner mounted in said operating member and extending upwardlytherefrom and having an outlet communicating with said operating memberpassage through which gaseous fuel `from said member passage candischarge;

(h) a post in said operating member and extending up wardly therefrom,said post having a transverse groove;

(i) said operating member having a peripheral groove;

(j) a retainer ring in said peripheral groove extending into saidtransverse groove to secure said post to said operating member; and

(k) a wind guard surrounding said operating member, burning means, postand retainer ring and engaging said ring to be attached thereby to saidoperating member.

5. vIn a gas fueled lighter:

(a) a container adapted to retain under pressure gaseous fuel of theliquefied petroleum type;

(b) a valve body secured to said container and having an inletcommunciating with said container and terminating in a valve seat;

(c) a valve element movable toward and away from said valve seat toregulate the ow of gaseous fuel through said inlet;

(d) operating means carrying s-aid valve element and tleadedly Connectedto said valve body fox moving said valve element toward Iand away fromsaid valve seat in response to rotation of 'said operating means yrelative to said valvebody;l .i g (e) 'said operating means having' alpassagertherethrough which''communicatesfwith said inlet whenUVsaidmalve element isY spaced from said valve seat; (f) means responsiveto an excessiverate of ow of l' gaseous fuel through said passage forvreducing said rateofow; o -Y 1 (g) burner means communicating with"saidpassage; and 'f Y A (h) means for igniting gaeou's fue] emanating fromsaid burner means. i I

t V 6. A 4gas 'fueled lighter according to claim Swlierejin 15 lsaidmeans responsive to an excessive rate of ow com- `prises a check *valveseat in said passage and includes a' check'valve insaid -passage movableinto engagement with said check valve seat "by an excessive -rate of owof gaseousfuel through' said passage. l

References Cited Tissot-Dupont 67-7.1

IWARD J'.1 \{HCHAEL,YPrimary Examiner.

